Archive for December 2012
COVENEY SUCCESSFUL IN DIFFICULT NEGOTIATIONS ON FISHING QUOTAS
216,300 tonnes of fish quotas available to Irish fishermen in 2013
• Value (€114m) and tonnage of whitefish quotas maintained at last years level.
• Interim quotas with value of €100m set for most pelagic stocks pending EU/ Norway negotiations in New Year.
Simon Coveney T.D. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine today welcomed the deal reached early this morning after two days and an overnight session of difficult and complex negotiations. Minister Coveney said “I am pleased that we have secured a good deal for Irish fishermen at the EU Fisheries Council that will support our fishing industry over the coming year and which is sustainable in terms of the fish stocks on which we are dependant.”
Harrington welcomes provision of thousands of new training places for long-term unemployed
Fine Gael TD for Cork South West, Noel Harrington, has today Tuesday welcomed the announcement that free educating and training places are being provided for up 6,500 people who are long-term unemployed. The MOMENTUM programme is a new Government initiative, which has been launched by the Minister for Education, Ruairí Quinn TD, and the Minister of State for Training and Skills, Ciarán Cannon TD.
“Creating job opportunities, particularly for the long-term unemployed, is a key aim for this Government. We are completely rebuilding what was a broken economy, and a crucial part of this process is ensuring that our workforce has the right skills to meet the challenges of tomorrow. These 6,500 new education and training places are particularly focussed on giving jobseekers access to areas of the economy where there are opportunities.
Grant system will help householders upgrade septic tanks – Harrington
Fine Gael TD, Noel Harrington, for Cork South West, has welcomed the announcement by the Minster for the Environment, Phil Hogan TD, that a grant scheme is being established to provide financial assistance to householders who need to upgrade their septic tanks or waste water treatment systems.
“Septic tank inspections are due to get underway in the New Year, and this announcement that grants are to be made available for remedial works will provide extra reassurance to householders. Despite consistent scaremongering from Fianna Fáil and others about the cost of repairs, the reality is that the vast majority of septic tanks will pass inspections. But for the minority of those that do require remedial works, this grant will be of great assistance.
“Grants of up to €4,000 will be made available to householders who need to upgrade their treatment systems. This will go a considerable way to ensuring that the remedial works will not place undue financial pressure on the householders involved. Domestic tanks and other waste water systems should be registered by February 1st next; and it is important to add that only householders who register their systems will be eligible for a grant.
Appointment of David Putnam as Digital Champion welcomed – Harrington
Fine Gael Cork South West Deputy Noel Harrington, today [Monday] welcomed the announcement made by Minister for Communications, Pat Rabbitte T.D. that the renowned film maker and committed digital enthusiast, David Puttnam, will be taking on the new role of Digital Champion for Ireland. “I am thrilled that David has accepted this position, as I know he is passionate in Technology and Distance Learning especially. Earlier this year, he started to deliver modules to university students outside Ireland from his home in West Cork, to students in Brisbane, Australia using technology that has been enabled and powered by BT and Cisco. The model, known as Atticus Education, will also be rolled out in Asia, the UK and US” Deputy Harrington said.